The Divine Comedy

Dante Alighieri

Oct 2013 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

“O human race, born to fly upward, wherefore at a little wind dost thou so fall?”

Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso--the three fates of the deceased become the three pillars of an epic poem. The Divine Comedy, written by Italian poet Dante Alighieri in the fourteenth century, is considered the foremost work in Italian literature. The journey begins with Dante’s descent into the depths of Hell where he witnesses those eternally separated from God. Then he climbs the mountain of Purgatory where Christian souls undergo final purification, before finally touring the celestial circles of Heaven where he is filled with the image of God. An allegorical work, the comedy is representative of the soul’s journey towards God. Influential for seven centuries, this classic is a must have for lovers of great literature.

Ratings and reviews

Asking £11.99 for an ancient out of copyright book is price gouging in the extreme. There are no royalties to pay, so it's not as if the ebook has to match the price of the physical book. A bizarre pricing strategy from the publishers. The book itself is well worth a read, but either get the physical copy of this book for its luxury binding, or buy a cheaper version of the ebook.

About the author

Durante degli Alighieri, known as Dante (1265–1321), was a major Italian poet of the Middle Ages. His Divine Comedy is widely considered the greatest literary work composed in the Italian language and a masterpiece of world literature

Paul Gustave Doré (January 6, 1832 – January 23, 1883) was a French artist, engraver, illustrator and sculptor. Doré worked primarily with wood engraving and steel engraving.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and "Evangeline". He was also the first American to translate Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy and was one of the five members of the group known as the Fireside Poets.